Once a quiet crossing over the river, the Serzhong Bridge has become a bustling weekend attraction, drawing in streams of regional tourists and transforming the area into a lively market hub.
Just two years ago, only a handful of vendors set up here. Today, twelve stall owners from Serzhong and Gelephu operate along the bridge, offering everything from steaming plates of traditional Bhutanese cuisine to jars of homemade pickles and handcrafted souvenirs. The latest craze—renting traditional attire for quick photo shoots—has proven especially popular among visitors.
For vendors like 47-year-old Leela Ghalley, who was among the first to take a chance on the location, the transformation has been life-changing. “We usually see more tourists on Sundays than on Saturdays. On holidays and special occasions, the crowd is even bigger, and we can earn up to Nu 5,000,” she said, noting that the income supports her husband and four children.
But the market’s success has brought new challenges. There are no public toilets, limited parking, and no permanent shelters for stalls. In the summer months, vendors say makeshift umbrellas offer little protection from the rain, leaving goods drenched and spoiled.
“We would be grateful if a small shelter or proper market space could be arranged,” said Ghalley. Fellow vendor Tshering Lhamo echoed her concerns, warning that overcrowding is becoming an issue as more stall owners join.
The Serzhong Gewog Administration confirmed that both vendors and private groups have submitted proposals for building shelters and formalising the market. However, because the land belongs to the state, the gewog has referred the matter to the district administration, and a decision is still pending.
Until then, the vendors will continue their work under open skies, hopeful that their thriving weekend marketplace will one day have the facilities it needs to match its growing reputation.
